Hydrothermally fabricated MoTe₂/rGO as a proficient electrocatalyst for robust oxygen evolution reaction

The faster depletion of fossil fuels owing to overconsumption has encouraged the invention of eco-friendly energy conversion methods, resulting in an intensifying energy shortage and sustainability issues. The increasing energy demand compels researchers to investigate novel strategies for water electrolysis and energy conversion. However, fabricating a catalyst with minimal overpotential (η) for water oxidation is a difficult task. The recent research investigate the production of MoTe₂ nanoparticles imbedded in rGO nanosheet to generate MoTe₂/rGO composite using a hydrothermal technique. Various physical procedures were assessed to analyze the structure, vibrational modes, shape and elemental analysis of the prepared composite. The BET calculated surface area for the MoTe₂/rGO composite is (62.3 m² g⁻¹), which is preferable for the OER procedure. The electrochemical results show that the composite exhibits a Tafel value (36 mV dec⁻¹) with η of 201 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² current density (j). Chronoamperometric analysis and cyclic endurance of the composite show stability for 42 h. The electrochemical outcomes show that incorporating rGO into MoTe₂ increases electrocatalytic surface area, resulting in the greater adsorption of the electrolyte ions and active areas, allowing for rapid adsorption of electrolyte ions and lower resistance. The present study demonstrates a novel way for producing highly efficient rGO-based electrocatalysts, which improve OER efficiency and open up new paths for their widespread use in various applications.